120
such decision. In another despatch, which will be for-
wirded to you simultaneously with this one, I shall
discuss the question of the possibility of making some
forward movement with our present scheme for the dis-
posal of the Indemnity funds. While, however, I
adhere to my previous view that we should not now
e wise
in departing, however sound the argumenta we could
produce in favour of such a course might be, from our
declared and widely advertised policy of generosity to
the Chinese in the disposal of these funds, the suggOD-
tion of their use for payment either of personal or
commercial claims, or both, of British subjects in China
has so frequently of late been forced upon my attention
that I cannot help feeling I should be failing in my duty
to the claimants if I did not lay the matter before you
in as full detail as possible with the available data,
2.
The chief ontegories of these claims are:-
(1) Inadequately secured loans.
(2) Unsecured loans.
(3) Commercial debte, and
(4) Kiscellaneous compensation cláras,
... such