Page:The life and letters of Sir John Henniker Heaton bt. (IA lifelettersofsi00port).pdf/232

 In the same year, H. H. and Lord Blyth visited Paris on a mission that created great interest and enthusiasm. Before leaving London they had an interview with the French Ambassador, M. Cambon, who expressing his fervent good wishes for the cause, gave them letters of introduction to the chief French ministers. On arrival in Paris, H. H. and Lord Blyth were met by a body of members of the Chamber of Commerce, led by Sir Joseph Walton. The French Postmaster-General, M. Brian, M. Emil Dupont, and, in fact, every Minister approached, and every man of any position, warmly advocated the immediate adoption of Franco-British Penny Postage. It is almost inconceivable that a great country like England should allow the consideration of a possible loss of revenue to outweigh the advantages of the only practical proof of the entente cordiale.

Colonel Sir Arthur Davidson wrote, from Biarritz, on the 24th March 1910:

Many thanks for your letter and enclosures. Although, as you say, the question of Penny Postage between France and England is a non-party matter, there are, still, possible international jealousies and difficulties ambushed under such an arrangement: and this being the case, it would be a delicate matter for the King to speak to the Chancellor of the Exchequer on a question affecting France and England only: when other nations—Germany, for instance, might wish to retain the present 2½d. rate, and would resent the proposed arrangement as interfering with the International postal balance.

This would cause a complication in which it is best that the King should not be included, or have initiated.