CONFIDENTIAL.
Hongkong.
0.0.
27147
Government House,
Hongkong, 28th June, 1904.
168
170
21147
Strants
for
225/1
Sir,
In reply to your telegram of the 22nd instant, I had the honour to inform you by telegraph that the S.S. "Belgian King" had reached this Port with a cargo of coal from Cardiff on the 31st ultimo and had left for Sasebo the following day. On entering the Port she did not declare any Arms or Munitions nor did she take any from here as far as I am aware.
2. On the 4th instant I received, late in the evening, a letter from the Russian Consul stating that the S.S. "Belgian King" was expected the same day with 4,000 tons of Cardiff Coal and 2,500 tons of Rifles and Munitions on board en route for Japan and asked me to prevent her leaving this neutral Port.
3. I replied that I regretted I could not accede to his request. I was unaware at the time that the Steamer in question had already arrived and left for Japan.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Humble servant,
Amaz
Officer Administering the Government.
RIGHT HONOURABLE
ALFRED LYTTELTON, K.C., M.P.,
&c.
&c.
&c.