CO129-439 - Others - 1916 — Page 558

General questions raised

Mr. Dixon.

06.27/4746

venture to suggest

that

Mr. Jennyson's reply is too gentle : & that we should point out that the seizure Made in accordance with the law,

& with the previous approval of Japanese Consul,

* that

the

War

Mr. Bonar Law

is not prepared to re-open

as at present advised.

the matter

#Re

28-10

16

Nor we

In certain

not be too stiff

about such

matters, which

QA

really smaller of policy to be

decided on grounds of expediency

of wh. this

ET. D.

must be the

judge.

Any further communication

on the subject, please quote

No.

80967/23.

and address-

The Controller,

Foreign Trade Department.

Telephone: Gerrard 8640.

50752

553

FOREIGN TRADE DEPARTMENT.

REG 24 OCT 16

LANCASTER HOUSE,

ST. JAMES,

S.W.

Sir,

13 October, 1916.

FD Geal 48676

With reference to your communication of the 20th inst., (44106) enclosing copy of a despatch from the

Governor of Hong Kong, reporting the removal and forfeiture

of a shipment of wood tar on the Japanese steamer "Hokuto Maru", I am directed by Viscount Grey of Fallodon to state

that his views in such a case as has arisen are expressed

in the letter from this Department, of the 11th inst., (78608/45x), the substance of which, as stated in the 4th

paragraph of that letter, is that in the case of allied

vessels British Colonial officials should confine

themselves to giving prompt intimation to the allied

consular authorities and leave them to act in dealing

with their nationals as they may think proper.

With regard to the 2nd paragraph of the

Governor's despatch, Lord Grey is advised that the

forfeiture of these goods to the Crown was unauthorized

since the section of the Hong Kong Ordinance to which

reference is made only authorizes the forfeiture of "enemy" goods, while, as Mr. Secretary Bonar Law is

aware, goods belonging to firms or persons on the

Statutory List are not "enemy" goods. Even in the case

of

Be Under Secretary of State,

Colonial Office,

Downing Street,

11 the October is

S.G.

awaiting

25 10 16

As proposed by

Pur. Tegson

add that, as they are

private,

that

instructions under

wh. the Colonial authorities

have been suspended pending

receipt of further direction.

Art a

arising Giving general instructions in the sense of the F.T.D. letter of the

Whitehall, S.W.