through inability or neglect to have taken no step to
prevent them landing or to bring them to justice.
The
60
fact that they openly landed on the Chinese Coast in this
manner is strong evidence that the whole affair was the
result of a plot conceived in China and we submit renders
the Hong Kong Government as much liable for their act of
piracy as if a Chinese Pirate Ship had sailed from a
Hong Kong Port and seized a British Ship.
Upon the above facts the next of kin of David
Clifford Jones deceased would appear to be entitled to
compensation from the Hong Kong Government.
Before his death Mr. David Clifford Jones had
allotted for the benefit of his parents a certain sum of
money paid every month, and he was therefore helping to
support his parents and the loss to them has been very
substantial.
We shall be greatly obliged if you will give us
your view as to whether the British Government will take
the matter up for the purpose of obtaining compensation
from the Hong Kong Government and if you consider that the
next of kin should press their claim, we shall be grateful
if you will kindly inform us with what Government
Department we should communicate on the subject, and give
us any other information which may be of help to us.
Yours faithfully,
(Signed)
Page 60Page 61
Copy.
(F6497/43/10)