Sir:-
FOREIGN OFFICE.
October 31
C.O. 57537/640
1 NOV 1904.
I am directed by the Marquess of Lansdowne to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22nd instant forwarding a claim for compensation made by "the Robinson Piano Company Limited" for losses in connection with the seizure and detention of the Peninsular and Oriental steamship "Malacca" by the Russian Volunteer fleet ship "Petersburg", and I am to acquaint you, in reply, for the information of Mr. Secretary Lyttelton, that the matter has been referred to the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, with whom an arrangement has been arrived at whereby they have undertaken to collect all claims of shippers and other persons interested.
Such claims will be eventually forwarded by the Company to this Department for examination before settlement.
The Under Secretary of State,
Colonial Office.