CO129-437 - Public Offices - 1916 — Page 247

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Since Congkong. is under the sole control of the British Government, if the bank is proved to have contravened the laws, it is subject to the penalties imposed by those laws only; and the Kwongtung Governa ment is exceeding its powers by taking part in this affair.

The bank has been engaged in strictly legiti- mate business and has broken no law, so that there is no justification for forcible interference in its private affairs. The relations between Great Britain and China are good, while Burma and Yunan border on one another. In Hurmenfu and all the territory con- trolled by the Government of the "Patriotic my", Eri- tish officials, merchents and missionaries alike are receiving the fullest protection, and it is to be 97- pected that as a fair return the longkong Government will refrain from discriminating against Yunnan wer- ch: nts.

In view of this unusual occurrence, I have the honour to request that you will be so good as to telegraph to the Governor of Hongkong, requesting him, if the bank has committed no offence and broken no law, to afford it the full protection of the law and not to permit the Kwangtung Government to subject it to ille-

al oppression.

Thus will friendly relations he furthered.

I should be glad of a reply in due course.

I have alc.

Translated by

7. A. Wallis

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