CO129-433 - Governor Sir May - 1916 [5-6] — Page 40

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was. He asked to see the original letter and he seemed to doubt me when I said I had not got it although a moment after- -wards he said that he had been informed by a witness that Wan Tsung-iu had torn it up and thrown it into the waste paper basket. He appeared to be making a somewhat feeble attempt to discredit the authenticity of the copy.

I asked Mr. Imai to let me have a note of his explanation, but he preferred to let his verbal statement

suffice.

Throughout the whole of both interviews I was careful to adopt an amicable attitude to Mr. Imai with whom my relations for many years have been quite cordial

I have sent a copy of this despatch to His

Majesty's Minister at Peking and to His Majesty's Consul-General at Canton.

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your most obedient,

humble servant,

Ama

Governor,&c..