interfere, and grant authority for the shipment from this port of Chinese subjects recruited from South China, i might very possibly be regarded by the Viceroy of Canton
as a discourteous act. I am anxious to ascertain whether
it would be so regarded by him, and whether it would be resonted by the Guilds concerned on the grounds of inter- ference in pending negotiations. Having obtained these vory substantial pladṛes from the Cerman Consul, I am anxios not to stand in his way if I can give the required authority without breach of courtesy to the Chinese
authorities.
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I have the honour to ask whether you can take steps to ascertain this information for me, and I ne d hardly point out that nothing should be said which would impair or call in question the absoluto authority of the Governor of Hongkong to grant such permits for shipment as he may in his discretion think fit, without reference to the Chinese authorities. The sole reason why in this particular caso I am taking the usual course of making prior enq iry in this way is because of the antecedent negotiations which have boun carried on in Canton by the dolegate of the Samoan Government, with what result from the Viceroy's point of view I have no means of knowing, o her than Dr. Schultz' conviction that he was not ill- disposed towards his proposals. The matter is one of extreme urgency, as the coolies have already been encerud, and the contracts of those now in Samoa have expired or
are about to expire.
I have etc.
(Sgd.) F.D. Lugard.
JAS
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