PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
LTLICO. 885
24 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
2.
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the Colony already through news agencies forwarding the English Press Bureau bulletins, and they are, therefore, probably not worth the expendi ture involved.
(h) Your telegram of 14th September, regarding the navigation of the approaches to the Thames.
The necessary information will be conveyed to the parties interested. With reference to paragraph 1 (k) of my despatch of 9th September,* I enclose copy of the Gazette Extraordinary No. 6660, of 12th September, pro- hibiting the exportation of raw rubber to certain places.
3. In continuation of paragraph 3 of my despatch of 9th September,* I have that the 8.8. Trifels" has now left for Bombay. There is nothing to inform you of interest to add regarding the other prize ships, except that, if and when receive through you the War Office reply concerning the Ceylon contingent (vide supra), I contemplate using the "Fürth" as our transport, in communication with the naval authorities on this station.
4. With reference to paragraph 7 of my despatch of 9th September,* I tele- graphed to you on the 12th September, calling attention to my telegram of 25th August, in which I requested your instructions regarding the pay to be given to prisoners of war who are of officer rank, and received in reply your telegram of 14th September, already referred to (vide paragraph 1 (ƒ) above).
There are now 183 prisoners of war at Ragama-39 having been transferred
from the harbour to the camp since the date of my last despatch.
5. The Chamber of Commerce continues to be of the greatest assistance to me by its loyal co-operation and expert advice. Proprio motu, it has formed a Com- mittee to develop British trade on lines already contemplated at home.
As regards coco-nut produce, concerning which I have already telegraphed and written to you (vide paragraph 9 of my despatch of the 9th instant*), Į append a newspaper cutting of to-day's date, giving a succinct account of market quotations here. I shall not fail to keep you informed if I ascertain any- thing definite with regard to the suspected shipment of our coco-nut produce or other food supplies tia Holland.
6. In conclusion, I have only to repeat that the Colony remains tranquil, with little or no distress.
40391/S
SIR,
No. 32.
I have, &c.,
ROBERT CHALMERS,
Governor.
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 19th October, 1914.)
(Confidential.)
The Queen's House, Colombo, Ceylon, 23rd September, 1914. In continuation of my Confidential despatch of 15th September last,§ I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of the following telegraphic despatches, viz."`:-
(a) Your cipher telegram of 15th September, asking that facilities be
Cordilere" to make a speedy passage. granted to enable the 8.8.
I have issued the necessary instructions to the Principal Collector of Customs accordingly.
(b) Your telegram of 15th September, regarding certain rice forming part of the cargo of the prize ship "Trifels."
An order has been made authorizing the release on bail of the cargo in question.
(c) Your cipher telegram of the 16th September, regarding the treat- ment of postal matter to or from enemy countries.
The Postmaster-General has been instructed accordingly.
(d) Your telegram of 17th September, requesting me to issue forthwith the proclamation regarding trading with the enemy.-Vide paragraph 1 (b) of my despatch of 15th September.
* No. 30. + Not reprinted.
Not reprinted; Ceylon Morning Leader, 15th September, 1914.
i No. 81.
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In accordance with your instructions, the proclamation was issued in Gazette Extraordinary No. 6663, of 21st September, 1914,* copy of which is enclosed.
(e) Your cipher telegram of 17th September, regarding the provision by this Colony of the pay of the proposed contingent.
Before I could reply to this I received
(f) Your cipher telegram of 18th September, requesting me to delay action on the telegram of 17th September, pending a further communication
from you.
This communication I am still awaiting. Meanwhile, the training of the contingent is being vigorously continued, and equipment is being obtained so that the contingent will be ready for service (I hope) within a month.
(g) Your telegram of 18th September, regarding action to be taken if any vessel about which proceedings have been commenced in the Prize Court is claimed as neutral.
No such case has arisen here.
(h) Your cipher telegram of 18th September, regarding the definition of certain terms in the Declaration of London, Article 34.
The information has been conveyed to the Proper Officer of the Crown. (i) Your cipher telegram of 19th September, regarding the position of the German Consul.
To this I replied by my cipher telegram of 20th September, inform- ing you that the German Consul is not detained against his will in Ceylon.
(j) Your telegram of 21st September, informing me of the discontinu- ance of the Press Bureau summaries of news.
(k) Your telegram of 21st September, requesting me to direct officers of the Reserve of Officers to return to England.
I have communicated on this matter with the Officer Commanding the Troops, who will take the necessary steps to give effect to the wishes of the War Office, and am publishing your telegram as a notification in the Govern- ment Gazette.
(1) Your telegram of 21st September, regarding the Trading with the Enemy Act, 1914.
Steps are being taken at once to carry out your instructions.
(m) Your cipher telegram of 22nd September, concerning certain representations by the Ceylon Association as to Germans in Ceylon and the
in the Bay of Bengal. success of the "Emden
In the absence of any evidence in support, I am not disposed to place any reliance on the mere opinions of members of the Ceylon Association in London. My opinion is supported by the Senior Naval Officer in Colombo. Under these circumstances, and bearing in mind that the "Emden” had on board an experienced officer of the Hansa Line, I am taking no further action.
(*) Your telegram of 22nd September, asking me to report by telegram from time to time the results of Prize Court proceedings.
I shall comply with your request as occasion arises, and have informed
you by my telegram of to-day's date that there is at present nothing to add
to the information conveyed in my confidential despatches.
2. With reference to paragraph 1 (e) of my despatch of 15th September,† I telegraphed to you on 19th September giving such information as I had been able
"Fürth." to obtain with reference to cargo on the 8.8.
3. In accordance with the instructions contained in your cipher telegram of 18th August, I informed you by my telegram of 17th September that the trade routes in the Bay of Bengal and to Singapore had been closed as unsafe by the naval authorities.
This step was considered necessary owing to the presence in the Bay of Bengal of the German cruiser "Emden." which has succeeded in sinking six British mer- chant ships and capturing a seventh. Ships were being detained at Colombo until the routes are considered safe by the responsible naval authorities. I'am secking
*Not reprinted.
+ No. 81.
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