| Description | Letter written from Highbury, Birmingham, dated 12 January. Chamberlain reminds Hicks-Beach [1837-1916, politician and first Earl St Aldwyn] of his promise to provide substantial grants and Loans in Aid to deal with the crisis in the West Indies. Chamberlain writes that he is now in a position to ask for money for one of his main proposals: to establish better steam communication. He gives details of his negotiations with A[lfred] L[ewis] Jones [1845-1909, shipping entrepreneur and colonial magnate] of Elder, Dempsters and Co., regarding a fruit shipping contract, and writes that Jones' offer now requires an immediate reply. He stresses that the fruit trade is the best hope of saving Jamaica from bankruptcy and states: 'The matter is one of life & death'. He writes that if he does not receive word he will authorise the contract on behalf of the Colonial Office. He adds that although he has experienced difficulties with his other main proposal - to establish central factories - it is still under consideration. |