"Reviewing), that the British Steamship 'Tartar'
belonging to the Pacific Railway Company was chartered by the United States Government
to the Canadian
as a
military
transport for the
conveyance
of troops from the United States to the Philippine Islands; and while on
her homeward voyage she
was detained at
Hong Kong for
compliance with the
local port regulations.
3. In
response to telegraphic
inquiries made by this Department, the Governor
of Hong Kong replied
that the British
Ship 'Tartar' carrying United States troops
entered the port of
Hong Kong
on September 6, and complaint
was made to the Harbour
master by some person on board of overcrowding. On the application for
clearance
on
the 13th September
it appeared that
the safety certificate of
the 'Tartar' showed that
she was licensed to carry
741 passengers, whereas
the declaration
made by the master
showed that
she had on board
1140. Thereupon the
Harbour master declined
to grant a clearance