N° 85.
C
J.
157
IRE"'
16899
RLY 8 API 21
GOVERNMENT
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONGKONG. 23rd February, 1921.
Sir,
With reference to Sir Henry May's despatch No.138 of April 27th, 1917, regarding the transmission of certain funds standing in the name of Mrs. Louise Hilda Emilia White, I have the honour to inform you that as a result of enquiries made by this Government in connection with a correspondence between the Custodian of Enemy Property and the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation it has been ascertained that the identification of this lady with the wife of Mr. Harry l'Homme Dieu White suggested
in this despatch is in fact incorrect.
2. Mrs. White formerly Miss Brost was married in Hongkong in 1896 to a British Subject George White a resident in the Colony who died on June 30th, 1911. After his death his widow took up her residence in Germany where on the outbreak of war she was registered as a British Subject but was refused permission to return to England. In 1916 on her own statement she married a German from whom she afterwards obtained a divorce, being allowed by the court to resume her former name.
3. I am advised that the German nationality acquired through her marriage in 1916 is not affected by her subsequent divorce, and have accordingly given directions that her property held in the Colony shall be dealt with under the terms of the Treaty of Peace as that of a German Subject.
I have the honour to be,
sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,
7.C. Stabbs
Governor, &c.
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
WINSTON CHURCHILL, M.P.,
&c.
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