CO129-457 - Public Offices - 1919 — Page 291

KY - A

P180.

sir,

Jo

C.O

21844

7th April,

P.

REST

P 10 PR 19

201

With reference to your letter of the 9th ultimo, No. 25419/17 terwarding a copy of a note from the French Arbassador with an affidavit by Fr. A. Gasten in sport of a claim for compensation in respect of alleged ill-treatment, etc., suffered on the occasion of the re cval of himself and his son from the S.S. "China" in February 1916, I am commanded by My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, that the name of Gaston does not appear in any of the lists received of persons removed from that Ship, or in the reports as to the case which arreared at the time in the Arritan Press.

2. In these circumstances enquiry has been made ty telegram of the Rear Admiral, Teng Keng, whether anything was known as to the Meaars, Gaston and a re-ly has now been received stating that the General Staff Officer, Hong Kong, to whom the "risoners of War from the "China" re turned over has no record of such a name. It is added that the only persons answering the description of the Gastens are August” Bach aged 46 and Hans Bach aged 144, both recorded as of derman nation- ality, the former having in his possession a photograph of a very old man in Alsatian dress when he stated was his grandfather. The Rear Admiral adds that from local records Each is à nost undesirable person.

2. It is therefore suggested that the reply to the French Ambassador should merely state that the names of Dr. Gaston and his son do not appear arongst those who were ranrved from the "China" by the British Authorities.

I am,

sir,

Your obedient Servant,

Under Secretary of State,

Foreign Office,

..B. 201

S. 7. 1.

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