17 MAY 1922 Letter from British Minister Peking to Lord Curzon of Kedleston, Foreign Office, London. My Lord With reference to Your Lordship’s telegrams numbers 97 and 108 of the 23rd and 30th March respectively, I have the honour to transmit herewith a translation of a letter from the Wai Chiao Pu in reply to a communication from this Legation asking that the necessary facilities should be extended to Sir Ross Smith when touching on Chinese territory in the course of his flight round the world. In reply to this communication I have informed the Chinese Government that, as they will already be aware from the reports in the press, Sir Ross Smith met with a fatal accident before the commencement of his flight. While it would appear that some of the conditions which the Chinese authorities desire to attach to the granting of permission to British aviators to fly over Chinese territory are unduly stringent and even vexatious, I do not feel competent to express any definite opinion in regard to them without knowledge of the stipulations which may have been made by other foreign Governments in similar circumstances. I would therefore suggest that with a view to future contingencies I should be informed by your Lordship as to which of the Chinese requirements are to be regarded as acceptable. It might be useful also if I could be supplied with information regarding the arrangements concluded with other foreign Governments in regard to special long distance flights such as that on which Sir Ross Smith was about to engage. I should add that I have ascertained that Colonel Holt was not consulted by the Head of the Aeronautical Department regarding the reply quoted in the Wai Chiao Pu letter. I have the honour to be, With the highest respect, My Lord, Your Lordship’s most obedient, humble servant, (Sd.) B.Alston
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