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1
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NR CONFIDENTIAL.
Sir,
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C.O
44937
SET 15 667
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONGKONG. 27th. August, 1915.
I have the honour to inform you that for some
time past the movements of Mr. Z. Volpicelli, Consul-General for Italy in Hongkong, have been under observation owing to Mr. Volpicelli's well known pro-German proclivities.
2.
Under date of the 25th. of May His Britannic Majesty's Consul-General at Canton reported to me that kir. Volpicelli, who is also Italian Consul-General for South China, and who was in possession of a permanent pass enabling him to leave the Colony, had arrived in Canton on the 24th. of May and had at once visited the German Consulate where he remained for over an hour. The same afternoon he was seen by the French Consul at Canton walking with the German Consul and his wife.
It was on the evening of the 24th. of May that the news of Italy's declaration of war on Austria-Hungary reached the Colony.
3.
On the 1st. of June His Majesty's Consul- -General at Canton reported that Hr. Volpicelli had arrived at Canton on the same morning and had again visited the German Consulate. The declaration of war by Germany on Italy was know in Hongkong on the 26th. May.
4.
Upon the issue of passes to leave the Colony being taken over by the Police as reported in my Despatch No. 258
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
ANDREW BONAR LAW, M.P.,
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Goz
158685