Correspondence on confirmation by Peking of their support for the current manager of the Chinese Telegraph Office; Lampson's hope that current Inspector-General of Customs will not leave Shanghai too soon, which might badly affect any solution of the Customs problem; Barton considers best course is to keep the status quo for the moment; Newton prepared to give permission for authorisation of permits to buy gunpowder; political report on situation in Canton; approval given by Amery for Canton to purchase arms for anti-piracy launches, which should be made known to the Corps Diplomatique; report from Military Attaché in Peking that an offensive has been ordered by the Ankuochun against Shansi; Edwardes (Inspector-General of Customs, Shanghai) postpones return to Peking; agreement between Clementi and Lampson that Chinese Telegraph Office should be closed; details of negotiations between Peking and Nanking concerning Postal Administration; discussion on Customs problem, which Lampson considers will not be solved by prolonging the status quo; details of French position regarding postal negotiations; position of M.F.A. at Nanking taken up by Huang Fu; meeting of Corps Diplomatique in Peking to discuss adherence of foreign Powers to the Arms Embargo Agreement, 1919, and at which some concern was felt at permission being granted to Canton to purchase anti-piracy arms; Edwardes' opinion that a split in Customs administration between North and South is now unlikely; political report on situation in Canton; agreement by Admiralty to supply guns on condition they will only be afloat; minutes of interviews between Lampson and General Li Chai-sum, on co-operation between Hong Kong and Canton; Lampson's opinion that, having told General Li Chai-sum that permission for the purchase of arms will be given, it is too late now for the Corps Diplomatique to object; details of Lampson's discussion with Lichai-sum, and minute of further interview; offer of resignation by Lampson, which is not accepted; Amery advises that before arms are supplied, a licence should be issued under Treaties of Washington Act, 1922; details of discussion between Barton and Huang Fu; appointment of ministers in Peking; discussion on possible amendment to land regulations in Peking; ordered Ankuochun offensive against Shansi not yet launched.