J. No. 723.
Enclosure,
Sir,
Enclosure No. 3 to Despatch No. 139 of the 10th April, 1903.
Hongkong, 11th March, 1902.
514 instant No. 533
I have immediately forwarded your letter of the 9th to the Commander of H.M.S. "Kaiserin Augusta" and am informed by him that all sailors of his ship who took part in the row on the evening of the 1st instant, have been duly punished for disorderly behaviour and assault on policemen on shore.
The Captain has, as soon as he heard of the arrest of some of his men, reported the case to the Admiral of the Squadron, and the latter ordered inquiries to be instituted into what had happened. The result of these inquiries is given in the enclosed extract; I beg to add that all men who have been heard, defendants as well as witnesses, agree in their depositions.
I regret that several German sailors were concerned in the row; I feel convinced, however, that no gross outrage was committed but that the affair was not more than a common row of the kind into which sailors of all nations are likely to get after having freely imbibed on shore.
Hoping that your Government will feel satisfied with the way the German Naval Authorities disposed of the case,
I have …
(S.) J. Kempracht,
Imperial German Consul.
To
The Honourable
J. Stewart Lockhart, C.M.G.,
Colonial Secretary,
Hongkong.