CONFIDENTIAL.
0.0
44933
RF SEP 15
674
Sir,
HONGKONG,
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
27th. August, 1915.
22 Mech (five) -
With reference to your telegram of the 27th.
March, and your Circular Despatch of the 11th. April, relating to
the removal of certain cargoes from enemy ships lying in neutral
ports, I have the honour to inform you that the course which is
being adopted here with regard to the sale of enemy cargo under
lien to licensed banks is to apply to the Court for an order
authorising the sale by the banks to be made to the Chinese buyers
for whom the goods were ordered, where such buyers exist and are
prepared to take up the goods at the contract price. It is con- -ceivable that in some cases a slightly higher price might be obtained by selling the goods in the open market, but this would create a bad impression among the Chinese dealers, and would expose to claims for breach of contract the liquidators of firms whose assets will in some cases be insufficient to pay the British
creditors.
2.
I shall be glad to know if you approve of this course being followed, and if not, I have the honour to request that your decision may be indicated to me by telegraph.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient, humble servant,
Amay
Governor,
&c..
HE RIGHT HONOURABLE
ANDREW BONAR LAW, M.P..
&c.,
&0...