Circular.
Treaty.
Sir,
Foreign Office,
647 57432 2 NOV
October 7, 1904.
I am directed by the Marquess of Lansdowne to inform you that a case has recently arisen in which the crews of three British vessels arrived at Nagasaki with cargoes of coal have refused to work on the ground that the ships were carrying contraband of war.
In the event of your being applied to for assistance in any similar case, you would do well to convene a Naval Court under section 480 of "The Merchant Shipping Act, 1894," and thus incur no personal responsibility for any decision which may be arrived at.
His Majesty's Consul
I am,
Sir,
Your most obedient,
humble Servant,
F. A. CAMPBELL.