Mr. Wauters to Mr. Hay.

[Translation.]

Mr. Secretary of State: In the course of the month of March last Count de Lichtervelde submitted to the consideration of your [Page 75] excellency a claim of the Compagnie Générale des Philippines taken up by the Government of the King with a view of procuring the restitution of a line imposed on the owners of the steamship Belgika for a breach of the provisions regulating the coasting trade in the Philippine Islands.

I have been instructed to apply again to your excellency with a request that you may earnestly insist that the proper authorities take the claim of the Compagnie Générale des Philippines into consideration and give it a favorable reception. The Government of the King is very greatly interested in obtaining a favorable solution of the matter.

I should be very grateful to your excellency if you would be pleased to support with your recommendation the request that I have been directed to renew. The Government of the King is very desirous of having this claim entertained and of securing the restitution of the tine imposed on the Belgian company, of whose good faith it is satisfied.

I embrace, etc.,

Wauters.