CO129-357 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [7-9] — Page 105

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whether if I allowed the shipment it would be regarded by

C

the Viceroy as a discourteous act to the prejudice of the

negotiations he was conducting. I requested Mr. Fox at the

same time to be careful not to let it appear as if I were

asking the Viceroy's sanction to ship the coolies, or in

any way to compromise the right of the Governor of Hongkong

to authorize any emigration at his absolute discretion

without reference to China. In reply I received the

following telegram: *(The) Viceroy (is) without knowledge

of (the) proposed shipment, and has not communicated with

Peking on the subject. In his opinion as negotiations

Emigration Convention pending, it would be advisable to

postpone shipment till the terms of the Convention have

been agreed to in Peking". I showed this telegram to the

German Consul and pointed out that it contained a direct

denial of the facts stated to me (a) that the subject of

the shipment had been discussed with the Viceroy by Dr.

Schultz and (b) that the Viceroy had communicated with

Peking on the subject.

13.,

I may add that though Dr.

Voretzsch betrayed great feeling in this matter, and at

times appeared to be under an excitement which it cost him

an effort to control, our interviews were entirely friendly,

and