Translation of letter from the Taotai to the Senior Coneul, dated January 80, 1908.
I have to call your attention to the fact that when arrests arg effected in the Settlement, a warrant should be made out by the Mixed Court and sent to the Senior Consul for signature, whereafter, when it has been handed back, the Police may then make the arrest, Such has been the standing procedure. Recently, however, the Police arrested @ respectable merchant with official rank, named Yin Keh-chang, and although he printed and issued circular as to the boycott of Hongkong Bank notes, and therein committed an act subversive of independent commer-ini intercourse and good relations, his action should nevertheless, in accordance with Article 14 of the Sino-French Treaty have formed the subject of a communication between the Senior Consul and Chinese Authorities in no provision as to punishment.
The Police, however, without having petitioned for negotiation by the Consuls with the Chinese Authorities in order to obtain their consent, arrested merchant with official rank, and imprisoned him as an ordinary convict in the Hongkew Police Station. This action was a grave contravention of and divergence from rules, and was moreover of prejudice to the peace and good order of the Settlement. I must, therefore, inquire from whom the Police in fact received the power to arrest Yin, and must ask you to punish, in accordance with the law, the person concerned in this unsatisfactory affair, as a warning for the fature and in evidence of
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.