637213-1897-Circular-Despatch-with-reference-to-the-so-called-Spanish-Swindle- — Page 1

856

THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 16TH OCTOBER, 1897.

GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.--No. 439. The following Circular Despatch with its enclosure is published.

By Command,

J. H. STEWART LOCKHART, Colonial Secretary.

Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 11th October, 1897.

CIRCULAR.

SIR,

DOWNING STREET,

14th August, 1897.

I have the honour to transmit to you, for such action as your Government may deem advisable, a copy of a letter from the Foreign Office enclosing a despatch from Her Majesty's Ambassador at Madrid relative to a case of the so-called "Spanish Swindle," brought to his notice by Her Majesty's Consul at Barcelona. You will observe that it is stated that the swindlers are now turning their attention to the Colonies.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient, humble Servant,

The Officer Administering the Government of

HONGKONG.

J. CHAMBERLAIN.

FOREIGN OFFICE,

SIR,

July 31st, 1897.

I am directed by the Marquess of Salisbury to transmit to you the accompanying despatch from Her Majesty's Ambassador at Madrid, on the subject of a case of the so-called "Spanish Swindle" which has been brought to his notice by Her Majesty's Consul at Barcelona,

It will be observed that the intended victim in the present case is a Canadian residing in New Brunswick, and that Her Majesty's Consul at Barcelona suggests that the various Colonial Govern- ments should be warned of the nature of these swindling operations. The Secretary of State for the Home Office, to whom the matter was in the first instance referred, states that he is not aware whether the operations of the swindlers in any of the Colonies are sufficiently extensive to make it desirable that warnings should be issued to the Public there, as has been done by the Police Authorities in this country.

I am therefore to forward the papers for Mr. Secretary CHAMBERLAIN's consideration. It is requested that Sir H. D. Wolff's Despatch, which is sent in original, may be returned to this Office when done with.

The Under Secretary of State,

No. 105.

Colonial Office.

I am, &c.,

T. H. SANDERSON.

MADRID,

MY LORD,

April 9th, 1897.

I have the honour to transmit herewith, in original, a despatch from Her Majesty's Consul at Barcelona respecting a further case of the so-called "Spanish Swindle."

Your Lordship will see that the intended victim in the case in question is a Canadian, a Mr. JOSEPH MCAFEE, residing at 159, Paradise Row, St. John, N.B.

It seems to me very unlikely that without some collusion in Canada, the swindlers should have been in a position to make a selection of likely victims in New Brunswick. And Mr. MCAFEE's case seems to corroborate the opinion I have frequently expressed, that this conspiracy to defraud possesses extensive ramifications out of Spain.

The Marquess of Salisbury, K.G.

&c.,

&c.

I have, &c.,

H. DRUMMOND WOLFF.