CO129-446 - Others & Individuals - 1917 — Page 84

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of their being included in the Statutory List of firms

blacklisted by the British Government, we most assuredly

would not have executed their order.

This proves that the Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation, the Toyo Kisen Kaisha Steamship Co., and our- selves all acted in good faith, with no intention to disre-

gard the restrictions placed by the allied government.

In confirmation of this we enclose copy of letter

received by us from our Bankers on the subject.

Our Hongkong Manager advises us that he has taken

the matter up with Mr. George E. Anderson, Consul General at Hongkong, who advised him that he could not act without

authority from Washington. He suggested it might be bene- ficial for us to take the matter up with the Superintendent of Imports & Exports, which our Manager did, but in turn the Superintendent stated that he also was without power to order the relase of the cargo to us herein San Francisco,

or our office at Hongkang.

He further stated that it would be necessary for their office to write him a letter, submitting all the facts in the case, and he in turn would place them before the Col- onial Secretary for decision.

We are the only ones affected by this injustice. The British Banking House has had no expense in the matter, and the Japanese Steamship Company has been paid them freight through to port of destination while the cargo remains at Hongkong, and we are refused possession.

With these facts before you, we ask if your office cannot render us some assistance to secure the release of this cargo, and immediately this is done our Hongkong Office

will/

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