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example, and these are every year taking a larger
share of the coasting trade, it might well happen
that the Norwegian Consular Agent was also the
Agent of the Steamer.
It is a growing practice for Chinese to charter
foreign steamers by the month. Where such steamers
are partly employed in carrying passengers, the
Chinese charterers will naturally give the preference to the flag whose Consular representative
interferes least with the internal economy of the
ship.
Again it not unfrequently happens that for one
reason or another a steamer that is really owned
by Chinese, is put under a foreign flag; and the
nominal owners and local agents of the steamers
derive certain profits from such transactions.
Any restrictions which would cause Chinese to seek
the protection of the German or Norwegian flag
would to some extent injure our interests in
China.
If it is necessary to legislate at all, my
opinion