Duplicati
No. 280 identical.
(Colony of Hong Kong)
45.14
dette
16.1506
Sir,
30.323
RECEIVED 17 AUG 1906
June 27th, 1906.
70 546 27478 (Received 13 1900)
I have the honour to enclose for your information copy of a Despatch dated May 5th which I received from the Governor of Hongkong, enclosing correspondence on the subject of the recovery under Article XXIII of the Tientsin Treaty of debts incurred in Hongkong by Chinese subjects who abscond to the mainland. His Excellency stated his own views on the matters referred to in this correspondence, enquired whether I concurred in those views, and if so asked what instructions I proposed to issue to Consular officers.
From my reply of June 16th to Sir Matthew Nathan, copy of which I also enclose, you will observe that I was unable to see my way to limiting the discretion of His Majesty's Consul-General at Canton in dealing with Hongkong debt cases, or to issuing instructions in the direction indicated by His Excellency.
I trust that you will approve the reply I sent to Sir Matthew Nathan.
The Right Honourable
I have the honour to be,
With the highest respect,
Sir Edward Grey, Bart.,
etc. etc. etc.
Sir,
Your most obedient,
humble Servant,
(Signed)
L. D. Carnegie