CUSTOM HOUSE, LONDON.
June 15th, 1904.
C.0.
22114/291
I am directed by the Commissioners of Customs to state, for the information of the Secretary of State, that their attention has been called to the fact that a Certificate of Sale has been issued by R. M. Hudson of Sunderland, owner of the steamship "Mascotte" of that Port, authorizing Frederick John Bardens of the firm of Samuel Samuel and Company of Yokohama and Kobé, to sell the vessel within the next six months for a sum not less than £12,000.
As this Vessel sailed from Sunderland on the 18th ultimo in ballast for Hong Kong, the Commissioners deem it desirable to communicate the facts of the case to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, observing that, although it was rumoured before her departure that she had been sold to the Japanese Government, no suspicious circumstances were observed which called for interference by the Officers of this Department.
Under Secretary of State,
Foreign Office.