'Despatch.
20
They had heard that Er. Vel lan had visited
Your Excellency in Hongkong in regard to measures conneo-
ted with the suppression of crime, but they apparently
did not attach great importance to his Mission as they in
formed me that Mr. Wei Hen 4 held no substantive official
position. But for ronsons to which I shall advert in a
subsequent Despatch. I did not consider that I was jus-
tified, in the absence of informtion from His Majesty's
Consul-General at Canton, in acting upon the suggestions
made in paragraph 9 of your Despatch.
inadorisable
It seemed to me equally sexiesirable to com
municate to the Wai Wu Pu the observations contained in
paragraph 11, as they might possibly have been construed by them as reflecting unfavourably on the Government of
India and the Streite Settlements Goverment.
The GoT-
orment of India made an unusual conesssion to China in issuing opim Certificates at the time they did, for which the Wai Wu Pu have frequently expressed their gratitude, and if there is any irregularity in connection with the matter, the Chinese Governsent have the right under the