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other Consuls at Chefoo would be empowered to take
to prevent overcrowding.
Owing mainly no doubt to the protest of Messrs
Jardine, Matheson and Company, the Hongkong Govern-
ment withdrew their proclamation and informed me of
it in a note, a copy of which I have the honour to
enclose herewith to Your Lordship (Enclosure No.1).
The question, therefore, now stands in its ori-
ginal position.
A considerable amount of dan-
gerous over-crowding occurs on vessels
T
British
and foreign engaged in the Chinese passenger traf-
fic from Chefoo to Wladiwostock, and except in so
far as Her Majesty's Consul supervises in a certain
way the execution of the regulations, of the Insu-
rance Companies, which appear inadequate against
abûses, he is powerless to interfere in the case of
British ships. It becomes necessary, therefore to
consider before next spring whether Her Majesty's
Consul can be given authority to exercise direct
supervision over this emigrant traffic, or what
other