3
420
"plaining that unusual action? and whether a merchant vessel
"is bound to show her ensign to a man of war which is astern
"of her and cannot pass her? Moreover whether a British merchant vessel is bound to show her ensign to a passing foreign
"man of war, except by choice and as an act of courtesy when
"on the high seas?
4
"As I understand nautical etiquette, a British
"merchant vessel is not required to show her ensign to any
"except British men of war, when at sea, unless they belong to
"countries known to be at war; and she is not called upon to
"show her flag to any vessel even of her own nationality except when meeting or passing, certainly not to a vessel
"astern which cannot pass her."
We have, &c.,
(sd.) Butterfield & Swire,
Agents, S. S. "Taiyuan."