472
ISE
Port Said for transhipment to Switzerland if
(1) The goods are without bills of lading
4.
in proper order and unmanifested,
(2) Goods on the list of articles consigned
to SS8 are not so consigned on the
bills of lading,
(3) Goods consigned to the SSS have not
the SSS certificate number quoted.
Their Lordships are now of opinion that, if
the control of exports from Italy and France to
Switzerland is efficient, there should be no necessity
for detaining either ships or cargo at Port Said. It
would appear, however, from Foreign Office telegram
No. 1297 to H. M. Chargé d'Affaires at Rome that some
doubt is felt with regard to the effectiveness of the
Italian control. Their Lordships would be glad to
learn Sir L. Worthington Evans' opinion on this point,
in order that consideration may be given to the question
whether the present procedure should be continued or
whether it should be abandoned and instructions given
that all ships with cargoes for Switzerland proceeding via France or Italy, or goods landed at Port Said for
transhipment via those countries, should be allowed to
go forward without detention at Port Said. I am to
observe that the latter procedure would have the ad-
vantage of reducing the congestion which at present
exists at that Port.
5. It would also appear to be desirable to
establish communication between the Naval Examination
Officer and the Authorities responsible for control
of goods going to Switzerland at the various French
and Italian ports concerned, in order that the Naval
Examination Officer may be in a position to give
warning to these French and Italian Authorities that
goods are coming forward incorrectly consigned.
6. I am further to suggest that it would be
desirable (if possible in conjunction with the French
Government) to bring to the notice of the Japanese
Authorities the irregularities which occur in the
consignment of goods from Japan to Switzerland with a
view to steps being taken to put a stop to them, and
to explain to His Majesty's Consul-General at Shanghai
and (through the Colonial Office) to the Governor
of Hong Kong the proper procedure for consignment of
goods for Switzerland.
am, Sir, etc.,
(Sgd.) Charles Walker.
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