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Sir,
Customs to Foreign Office.—Received February 8.)
Custom-house, February 8, 1901– IN continuation of previous correspondence on the subject, I am directed by the Commissioners of His Majesty's Customs to state that the "Monmouthshire" left the Royal Albert Dock on Saturday last, at 6:30 PM., for China and Japan, having on board the Japanese gun-boat "Fushimi" in sections, comprised in 132 packages, which are marked "Shanghae," "Y Stores C," "S.S.,” and “T.H.”
I am to observe that, in conformity with a telephonic communication from the Foreign Office on that day, as confirmed by Mr. Campbell's letter received this morning, no action was taken by this Department to interfere with the shipment in question.
I am, &c.
(Signed) R. HENDERSON.
13
Customs to Mr. Maycock~(Received February 17.)
Dear Sir,
Custom-house, February 16, 1901. WITH reference to your note to Mr. Reade of the 11th instant, the Japanese boat "Fushima" was shipped by Messrs. Norris and Joyner, Billiter House, Billiter Street, E.C., as shipping agents for a firm in this country, whom they describe as doing a large trade with China and Japan, but whose name they were unwilling to disclose when requested to do so. They themselves have no knowledge of the consignee in Shanghae, the packages being consigned by them to order," and the bill of lading handed over to the firm above referred to.
As we have no power to require the disclosure of names of consignees, we have not attempted to put pressure on the parties, pending the expressed desire of the Foreign Office.
If the pieces are really consigned to a British firm in Shanghae, the fact would be easily ascertainable by our Consul-General there.
Faithfully yours,
(Signed) R. HENDERSON.
The Marquess of Lansdowne to Sir E. Satow.
(Treaty.) (Telegraphic.)
Foreign Office, February 20, 1904, 1:50 P.M. STEAM-SHIP "Monmouthshire" sailed for China and Japan on the 6th instant, having on board Japanese gun-boat "Fushimi" in sections, comprising 132 packages, marked "Shanghae. Y. Stores. C., S.S., and T. H." Shippers in this country Messrs. Norris and Joynes, Billiter Street, E.C.
Instruct Consul-General, Shanghae, to report at once, on arrival at Shanghae, what becomes of these cases; and if they are consigned to British subjects, and are landed at Shanghae, to warn them not to fit gun-boat together at that port.