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January, stating that all persons who have not obtained their entry permits beforehand will be refused admittance and requesting that I inform the Hong Kong Government accordingly. In view of the difficulties encountered in the present case I doubt in any case whether shipping companies will be willing to undertake further shipments.
9.
Not having received any official notification from the Hong Kong Government of the despatch of the S.S. Kweiyang or intimation whether the soldiers did or did not hold entry permits I was in no position to refute the Governor's alleg- ation that the soldiers had been sent up without his approval. If an attempt was in fact made to force the issue without awaiting the Governor's approval I consider that such action was regrettable, for, while the admittance of the majority of soldiers has, with difficulty, been accomplished, relations with the local authorities which had already been strained by the rigid method of enforcement of Hong Kong visa restrict- ions have been thereby further impaired and British Commercial interests in Formosa may in the long run be seriously effected.
I have the honour to be
With the highest respect,
Sir,
Y our most obedient, humble servant,
(E. T. Biggs).
Consul.