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November 1913, Mr. Loftus Jones, of Hanson McNeill and
Jones, legal Adviser to Mr. Anton of Messrs. Jardine,
Matheson and Company, Shanghai, who as Mr. Keswick's
local agents had charge of the Ford Estate, wrote to
Mr. Platt, then Acting Crown Advocate, informing him
of the above facts. Mr. Jones pointed out that the
provisions of Mr. Ford's Will appeared to be void for
"uncertainty", but suggested that under the circum-
stances the Crown should forego its rights as ultimate
heir, and that a scheme should be drawn up and sanc-
tioned by His Britannic Majesty's Supreme Court
providing for the carrying out as well as might be of
the charitable intentions expressed. Mr. Platt replied
in a sympathethe but guarded manner, and, on all the
papers being handed to me on my return, I have adopted
the same attitude.
I enclose herewith copies of two letters of 17th
and 19th February 1914 from Mr. Anton to Mr. Jones with
reference to Mr. William Keswick's dealings with the
Trust Estate and as to its present condition. There
being no Widow with any legal claims and no ascertain-
able relatives to put forward a moral claim to benefit
there