Tia
OPY
5711/1916. -PAPHRASE
ELEGRAU
593
The Secretary of State for the Colonies
to the Governor of Hong Kong.
(Sent, 3.45 p.m., 4th April,1916).
With reference to your telegram of 23rd March in cipher on the subject of a steamer for sugar. No immunity from requisition can be granted if the vessel in question is already British, though if the vessel chartered were one continuously trading in the East the Admiralty would give special considera- tion to the case. If the vessel in question is a neutral vessel which has been purchased the Admiralty state that a guarantee is given to British purchasers that
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t/vessel will not be requisitioned except in case of extreme necessity and in that event payment would be at current market rates. This may be taken as in effect equivalent to exemption from requisition.
BONAR LAW.
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