CO129-422 - Governor Sir May - 1915 [5-6] — Page 505

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16th. March, 1915, from Mr. Schluter to Mr. Steger, who was the former manager in Hongkong of Messrs. Reuter Brockelmann and Company. This enclosure is a translation of a copy in a press copy letter book which was found in a safe of which Mr. Schluter kept the key, and the press copy contains Mr. Schluter's signature. I also enclose a number of extracts or translations of extracts from letters found in the same safe.

4.

I would like to point out that the policy under -lying section 6 of the Alien Enemies (Winding up) Ordinance, 1914, as amended by section 9 of the Alien Enemies (Winding up) Amend- -ment Ordinance, 1914, was a twofold one, (a) to prevent inter- -ference with the liquidations, and (b) to prevent continued unrestricted trading on behalf of the German and Austrian firms. The latter policy had been already approved by you before the expulsion and interment of enemy subjects, and was recognised in section 6 of the Trading with the Enemy Ordinance, 1914. The objects of the restrictions which were originally imposed in pursuance of this policy, and which were continued after the

passing of that Ordinance, were of course intended to prevent money or its equivalent reaching enemy territory during the war, and this is the underlying reason for refusing to allow either Mr. Schlüter or Mr. Cheetham to accept the agency in question.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient,

humble servant,

Annay-

Governor,&c..