CO129-437 - Public Offices - 1916 — Page 246

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Tutuh to H.M.Consul Generel, Yunnanfu, February, 17,

1916.

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A report has bee received from the Lan zer of the Hung ung

the Fution Bank to the effect that, since Yunnan raised

the standard of revolt, all telegrams sent free Mannan te that branch have been confiscated by the Honkong Government and not handed over.

Moreover a policeman

accompanied by a representative of the Kmary:tung Go- vernment has recently been to search the office, but they departed without removing anything. Shortly af- terwards a second representative of the Kw ngtung Go- vernment went to the office and demanded to examine the books. He stayed for three days, saying that if the booke were not produced, he met request the lionkong Goverment to send the police and compel the bank to produce them.

Hongkong is an open port, where international relations are requl ted by treaty and foreign merchants controlled by lows. Merchants of any nationality, no watter whether their business is of a public or private character, provided it is conducted in accordance with the laws promulgated by the British Government, have a right to full protection. The bank has been opened in Hongkong for four years; but recently owing to this province having declared for a republic, it has become an object of ermity to the Kwangtung Government, who, with no provocation, are making persistent efforts to do it harm, & proceeding which I hold to be contrary both to law and treaty,

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