N2 249.
36
REC
37551
REG 9 MF 16!
GOVERNMENT HOUSE.
HONGKONG. 21st June, 1916.
740
Sir,
Wo 7078 Secretary of State's of
14th June, 1916.
Governor's of 19th June
1916.
Gov
Referring to the telegraphic correspondence noted
in the margin, I have the honour to forward the enclosed copies of correspondence between
the Vice-Conaul for Sweden and the Postmaster
General regarding the landing of seven bage
of mails from the S.S. "Japan".
2.
Mails destined for the British Post Office at
Shanghai are by arrangement liable to be landed and censored
in Hongkong. Six of the bags in question were addressed
"Shanghai" and, as there was no evidence, in the shape of a
statement by the Captain of the ship, or on the bag labels or
otherwise, to the contrary, the Postmaster General considered
himself justified in assuming that the bags were for the Brit-
-ish Post Office there; and he accordingly caused them to be
landed for examination.
3.
There was thus no actual breach of the Postal
Convention as regards these six bags; though, en sufficient grounds for suspicion, mails carried on a neutral ship voluntarij -ly entering Hongkong territorial waters would be removed for examination. Similarly, if the case should arise, an examination
would
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
ANDREW BONAR LAW, M.P.,
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