with whom their relations are, they are glad
to ink, now on a basis of real friendship.
But for the reasons which have been set forth
in detail in the present Hote they are anhesi-
tatingly of opinion that the action taken by
submarine L.4 was amply justified on every ground,
and that the oireuz.stances impose upon them
41
no liability to make compensation.
The lose
of the "Irene” is only one of many cases in
which innocent persons of many nationalities
have suffered in consequence of the conditious
which have unfortunately prevailed in recent
years in China, but which, it is the confident
hope of Hia kajesty's Government, will soon
have become a thing of the past in consequence
of the establishment of the authority of the
National Government.