A letter from Mr. von Zeppelin Obermuller, Consul-General for the Notherlends, informs the Council that ihe has taken over charge of the Con-relate-General from Mr. A, van de Sande Bakhoyzen, with effect: from Tannary 22. lance of a trial is within the knowledge fuged, of the Council. I beg to enclose capi of correspondence in the matter which records the material facts. I may at once state that it is not my intention to accede to the suggestion of the Consular Body that ao application for a rebesriog light be made, inasmuch as it is " case in which there has been no hearing. I respectfully request the consideration of the Council - ® matter which to me appears to be of serious import to the) Settlement, A business has been closed summarily with " complete disregard of the elementary principles of justice. There has been a grave interference with the liberty of Chioese residents which may well prove to be a dangerous precedent.
May I venture to remind the Council that the Chinese residents contribute by far the larger proportion of the revenue of the Settlement, and are fally entitled to ample protection from illegal and arbitrary action. I feel therefore justified in appealing for the support of the Council in this very serious matter.
Tam, Sir, Your obedient servant, 'T. Monoax Prunus The Cuainmax, Manicipal Council. Copies of letters enclosed Letter to Japanese Consulate.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.