CO129-423 - Governor Sir May - 1915 [7-8] — Page 674

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8.

I then questioned Mr. Volpicelli as to his

official business at Canton. He said he had no office and no staff there, but that he had business occasionally with the Chinese officials. I said that if his absence from Canton would interfere

with his official business I would continue to permit him to visit Canton periodically if he would give me an undertaking in writing that he would not visit the German Consulate or hold any communica- -tion with the German Consul. Kr. Volpicelli refused absolutely to give any such undertaking and I thereupon told him that I could not permit any resident in Hongkong no matter what his position or nationality to hold intercourse with the official representative of a Power with which England is at war, and that I must therefore decline to permit him to visit Canton pending reference of the

case to you.

9.

Mr. Volpicelli said that he would represent

the matter to his Government by telegraph and I replied that he was of course at liberty to do so.

it

I considered desirable therefore to send you

•

the short telegram of which I enclose a paraphrase.

10.

In the course of our interview Mr. Volpicelli

said that he would remove his Consulate-General to Canton. I have no objection to his doing so provided he does not visit Hong- -kong during the continuation of the war.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient,

humble ser want,

Domag

Governor,&c..