CO129-424 - Governor Sir May - 1915 [9-10] — Page 251

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Confidential.

No 912

243

COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE,

Hongkong, Bed September, 1915.

GENTLEMEN,

In continuation of my letters of the 30th October, 7th November, 24th November, and 7th December, 1914, and the 1st February, 28th April, and 1th lime, 1915, I am directed to convey to you the following further instructions of His Excellency the Governor:-

German and Austrian Steamers l'argo.

As some misunderstanding appears to have arisen with regard to the licences which have been, or can be, issued to bring forward to Hongkong cargo now or recently on board enemy ships sheltering in neutral ports, nist be clearly under- stood that the only two classes of cargo which will be allowed to be brought for- ward are (a) cargo which is wholly the property of British subjects, and thì cargo under lien to a licensed bank.

If any other cargo from enemy ships he brought forward to Hongkong it will be liable to seizure and, if enemy property, to condemnation in whole or part, and the parties concerned in bringing it forward will be liable to prosecution miler the Trading with the Enemy Ordinance, 19911,

Any liquidators who have already taken part in bringing forward, or have taken delivery of, any such cargo as is referred to in the preceding paragraph must fornish all particulars of such cargo to the Crown Solicitor forthwith, if they have not already done so.

It must also be clearly understood (a) that the fact that cargo is consigned to a British firm or person does not necessarily make the cargo British property, and (b) that cargo which belongs to the enemy firms which are being wound up under the Alien Enemies (Winding up) Ordinance, 1914, is almost certainly in every case of enemy character, at least in part, as in probably every case part at least of the property. in the goods is vested in persons in enemy territory or in China.

The proper course with regard to all cargo sought to be brought forward from enemy ships is to apply beforehand for specific licences to bring forward the particular cargo in question. Such application should be made to the Attorney General.

I have the honour to be,

Gentlemen,

Your obedient servant,

Messrs.

Liquidators of Messrs.

Colonial Secretary,