Enclosure 5.
Head Quarters, 17th November, 1904.
HONG KONG,
12th November, 1904.
1.
2.
4.
7.
At 10.45 A.M., Sub-Lieutenant Fini appeared.
The statement marked "A" was read to him, and he stated it was a correct account of what passed.
Sub-Lieutenant Fini said he denied the authority of Major Saxton because he could not be under any foreign officer without directions from St. Petersburg. In answer to a question from me, he told me it was the "rule of his service" to acknowledge the authority of any foreign officer without instructions from St. Petersburg.
It was pointed out to Sub-Lieutenant Fini that he had been handed over by the Authorities in London to be dealt with by the Governor and his agents, as refugees to be interned during the Russo-Japanese war, and such agents were his superior officers.
It was also pointed out that his application for leave to go to Shanghai came before us and was not recommended because it was to seek the advice of the Russian Admiral at Shanghai, who had no authority in the matter. Sub-Lieutenant Fini said that this matter was forming the subject of correspondence between the British and Russian Governments.
Sub-Lieutenant Fini was made to distinctly understand that Major Saxton is his Commanding Officer, and that the orders of the Sergeant of the Guard cannot be altered, except that people passed in under written instructions or personal introduction of the Russian officer Commanding the refugees shall be permitted to do so by the Sergeant of the Guard. Sub-Lieutenant Fini was instructed that he is at liberty to make any protest he desires, but while doing so, he must obey the officer put over him, and that he is under Military control. He now quite understands his position and had nothing to say against it.
Sub-Lieutenant Fini was told that I understand his protest and consider that his reply to Major Saxton was in the nature of that protest, and not a breach of Military discipline. Sub-Lieutenant Fini now seemed to understand that his protest having been made, he should take orders from Major Saxton.