CO129-287 - Public Offices & Others - 1898 — Page 414

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maintaining that the question of the protection to be

afforded by British Consuls in China to such Com-

panies should be decided by the instructions given

to Consuls through the Minister at Peking, or the

Foreign Office.

I enclose copy of my instructions dated this day

to Mr. Mansfield, informing him that he should refuse

to recognise as British Companies in China those

Hongkong registered Companies which he finds, after

due investigation, to be essentially Chinese under-

takings.

I have the honour to request Your Lordship's

instructions on this important question.

(Signed)

I have,

&C.,

Claude M. MacDonald.