to express any opinion.
But if, as seems possible,
there is room for doubt, I certainly feel that it
would be desirable to forestall any question of
interpretation that might subsequently arise, whether by a note such as suggested by Sir E. Fraser or such other means as may commend itself to you as
most suited to the circumstances,
I have, etc.,
(Signed)
J.N.Jordan..
..57.
sir,
391
HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S CONSULATE GENERAL,
SHANGHAI.
February 4th, 1918.
I have the honour to report that, so soon as the enclosures in your Despatches Nos.14 and 15 of 16th Janu- ary reached me, I invited the opinion of His Majesty's Acting Crown Advocate upon the proposed amendments to the China (Companies) Order in Council,1915, in order to meet the points raised in the cases of the Hoong On Steamship Company, Limited and J.A.Wattie and Company, Limited,
of Mr.Mossop's opinion copy is enclosed. We also had the benefit of an informal conversation with His Majesty's Assistant Judge who concurred entirely in the need for both amendments,
with regard to the case of Messrs.J.A. Wattie and Company, Limited the delay in acting upon the instruction in the Foreign Office Despatch No.26 of May 22nd last was caused simply by the Company's legal adviser referring the matter to London. Copy of his letter to Mr. Mossop, which is referred to in Enclosure one is also forwarded. No report was consequently made to the Foreign Office.
The Company has now duly registered as a China Com- pany; but the letter does not appear to me a retraction of the position formerly taken up for it would not bar renewal of the Company's original claim upon a fresh allocation of
The Right Honourable
Sir John Jordan. G.C.I.E., K.C.B., K.C.M.G.,
His Majesty's Minister, PEKING.
the
Aft