WAR OFFICE
C.O.
27108
Intelligence Division
16 AUG 00
18. Queen Anne's Gate,&&W,
17. August 1900.
226
The Director of Military Intelligence presents his compliments
to the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, and begs to
forward, for his information, a copy of a letter dated 4th Inst
which has been received from the Marine Department of the Board
of Trade relative to a contemplated shipment of explosives to
Korea by s.s. "Bodlewell.
Sir John Ardagh has been given to understand by the Foreign
Office that, since, by the Treaty of Shimonoseki, May 1895,
China renounced all claims to suzerainty over Korea, the export
of arms and ammunition to that country is not affected by the
recent Proclamation.
He desires, however, to point out that, in any case,
as the
goods in question may not be really destined for Korea, or
being so destined, may be transhippedin that country for a
Chinese port, it would be well to keep the Vessel under
observation. He therefore ventures to suggest that the Governor
of Hong Kong should be instructed accordingly.
The