SECRET
From C.in C. China.
24
MESSAGE
Received :-
Date 11.2.35.
Time 1700.
IN
Cypher G.G.(F).
Addressed Admiralty.
283. Your 77 proposed wording of revised Straits
Settlements Shipping Ordinance number 36 did not reach
me until arrival at Singapore. I then formed opinion
that wording was unfortunate before I received your 77.
(? With reference to) (? activities) of SAGA I feel that
Their Lordships should have following copy of (? letter)
dated 8th January 1935 on the same subject addressed by
me to Governor Hong Kong before they decide what if any
action to take in this matter. Begins. In my previous
letter number 02511 4th December 1934 I suggested in
effect that regulation might be drafted prohibiting
foreign men of war from anchoring elsewhere in waters of
colony except man of war anchorage without obtaining
prior approval of Governor. Moreover it was not then
realised that Saga had actually contravened laws of colony
although her movements had very often been open to question.
It now appears quite clear however that Saga
has definitely contravened several regulations namely
(a) anchoring vicinity of Lamma (b) landing at Lamma Island.
So far as is known both above breaches have been committed
without any previous notification to authorities as
required by Government notification 440 26th June 1903
and Merchant Shipping Ordinance Articles 14 and 15 A.
Paragraph 8 of C. I.D. Memorandum (? 500) M
would appear to meet the case in dealing with such
activities, but owing to time which has now elapsed since
October when they took place, it would (? now) seem
unsuitable/