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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
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SIR,
No. 143.
(BERMUDA.)
LAW OFFICERS to COLONIAL OFFICE.
[Act 38, 1901; Punishment of persons aiding prisoners of war to escape.]
Royal Courts of Justice, April 17, 1902.
We were honoured with your commands signified in Mr, H. Bertram Cox's letter
of the 11th instant stating that he was directed by you to transmit to us, for our con- No. 38 of sideration, the accompanying copy of an Act of the Legislature of Bermuda, passed during 1901. the last Session, "to provide for the punishment of persons aiding prisoners of war to
escape." together with a report thereon by the Attorney-General of Bermuda.
That on the receipt of a draft of the Act in January, the Governor was informed by telegraph (10th February) that, of course, the word "ship" in section 5 must not be construed to include a public or national vessel.
That Mr. Bertram Cox was to inform us that, should we see no objection to such a course being adopted, you proposed to tell the Governor that His Majesty would not be advised to exercise his power of disallowance with respect to the Act.
That Mr. Cox was to invite reference to the opinion given by us on the 10th February, 1902,* in reply to certain questions raised by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty as to the right of seizing or searching for prisoners of war attempting to escape on board ship from their place of detention, and to say that the substance of our opinion had been communicated to the Governor of Bermuda.
We have taken the matter into our consideration, and, in obedience to your commands, have the honour to
Report-
That we see no objection to the course proposed in Mr. Bertram Cox's letter.
We also agree with the view expressed in your telegram to the Governor of the
10th February that the word "ship "in section 5 should not be construed to include a public vessel.
We have, &c.,
R. B. FINLAY. EDWARD CARSON.
The Right Honourable Joseph Chamberlain, M.P.,
&c.,
&c.,
&c.
• No. 127 A.
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Reference :-
C.O. 885
15 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO