417
be held by British subjects or persons other than
Chinese, in cases where such Company desires to
claim the protection of a British Consul in China.
I should not myself propose any such legisla-
tion without instructions from the Secretary of
State.
(Signed) W. Meigh Goodman.
23/8/98.
copy.
No.15.
Sir:-
PEKING,
September 27th 1898
0.0.
20115
Rent
& Rest 22 NOV 36
I am in receipt of your despatches No.38 of
1st instant and No.40 of 6th instant on the subject
of companies registered at Hongkong.
In view of the further information you have
given me with regard to such companies promoted by
Chinese, and the opinion of the Attorney General of
Hongkong, I am again reporting the matter to Her
Majesty's Secretary of State.
Pending his Lordship's instructions I am of
opinion that you should insist on full particulars
of the promoters and shareholders of such companies
and refuse to recognize as British Companies in Chi-
na those which in your discretion you consider to be
fundamentally Chinese undertakings.
(Signed) C.M. MacDonald.
FW. Mansfield, Esq.,
Her Majesty's Consul,
Canton.