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maintaining that the question of the protection to be
afforded by British Consuls in China to such Com-
panies should be decided by the instructions given
to Consuls through the Minister at Peking, or the
Foreign Office.
I enclose copy of my instructions dated this day
to Mr. Mansfield, informing him that he should refuse
to recognise as British Companies in China those
Hongkong registered Companies which he finds, after
due investigation, to be essentially Chinese under-
takings.
I have the honour to request Your Lordship's
instructions on this important question.
(Signed)
I have,
&C.,
Claude M. MacDonald.