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;
In answer to the last of the questions submitted to us on the 13th June last, we are of opinion that the licence of the Crown would prevent any payment of the losses referred to being unlawful, but no intervention by the Crown could make enforceable, in a Court of law, a demand to which, upon the construction of the document as explained in our former answers, the insurer was not liable. The mere act of payment would only be unlawful upon the ground that recouping to an enemy the loss inflicted upon him by His Majesty's ships in the course of war would be adhering to the King's enemies. The act could not, in fact, bear this character if His Majesty authorised it.
(Signed) (Signed)
Law Officers' Department, December 12, 1912.
RUFUS D. ISAACS. JOHN SIMON.
PRINTED AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE BY C. R. HARRISON —13/2/1913.
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