FOR USE
EASTERN
Ha 93
SONIAL
OFFICE
In the reply to this Letter the following Number should be quoted.
fre
3
15497
04
Sir,
C. O.
32348
265
TREASURY CHAMBERS,
Rect 17 SEP 04
16th September 1904.
I have laid before the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury Mr. Lucas' letter (31155/1904) of the 8th instant, with its enclosure, further respecting the expenses of the maintenance and internment at Hong Kong of the Officers and men of the Russian Destroyer "Burni".
Their Lordships defer to the representations of the Marquess of Lansdowne that it is, for the present, desirable to postpone a request to the Russian Government to repay these expenses direct to the Colonial Government of Hong Kong; and it will follow accordingly that repayment should be made in the first instance from Imperial funds to the Colony. Such repayment will most conveniently be made locally by the Treasury Chest Officer at Hong Kong from the Treasury Chest Fund on behalf of the Treasury; and I am to request that the Colonial Government may be instructed accordingly to claim repayment monthly from him, the claim to be certified as correct by that Government and to be supported by the necessary vouchers, in a form which will admit of its being presented subsequently to the Russian Government.
A copy of this letter is being forwarded to the Treasury Chest Officer for his information and guidance.
The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office.