PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O. 885/
9 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
Serial
From or to whom.
No.
Despatch No.
Date.
206
Foreign Office
1905.
July 28
Subject.
Page.
RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR.
States that a claim has been received from the owners of the "St. Kilda" and will be presented to the Russian Govern- ment, and suggests that the prepara- tion of claims of persons in the Colony interested in the case should be hastened.
133
Reports further on the movements of sus- 133
pected colliers.
CORRESPONDENCE-
RELATING TO
NEUTRALITY.
No. 1.
MR. LYTTELTON to GOVERNORS AND HIGH COMMISSIONERS." (Sent 8:50 A.M., February 10, 1904.)
207
Governor Sir M. Na
Secret.
June 30
than (Hong Kong).
(Rec. July 31.)
208
To Governor Sir
M. Nathan (Hong Kong).
Confi- dential.
July 31
Acknowledges receipt of No. 204, and 137
states that a copy has been communi- cated to the Foreign Office; conveys request of Foreign Office that claims should be hastened.
4716.
209
To Foreign Office
-
July 31
Transmits copy of No. 204
137
210
Ditto
-
-
July 81
211
To Governor Sir Secret.
M. Nathan (Hong Kong).
Aug. 12
Acknowledges receipt of No. 201, and 187
transmits copies of Nos. 202 and 208.
Transmits copy of No. 198, and notes with pleasure Lord Lansdowne's appreciation of the manner in which the cases have been dealt with.
198
212
Governor Sir M. Na-
than (Hong Kong)
Confi-
July 14 dential.(Rec. Aug. 14.)
218
To Foreign Office
214
Governor Sir M. Na-
than (Hong Kong)
Confi- dential.
Aug. 21 Sept. 27 (Rec. Nov. 2.)
Transmits claim for 29,0927. 10. 9d. for 198
losses sustained by the sinking of the "St. Kilda," and requests that an early settlement may be pressed for.
Transmits copy of No. 212
139
Forwards claim by Messrs. R. Jack and Co. in connection with the sinking of the "St. Kilda," which is the only claim received.
139
215
Foreign Office
Confi- dential.
Nov. 24
216
To Foreign Office
Confi- dential.
Dec. 2
217
Foreign Office
Confi- dential.
Dec. 9
218
To
Governor Sir Confi-
Dec. 15
M. Nathan (Hong dential. Kong!.
Encloses copy of an opinion by the Law 140
Officers relating to claims now pending against the Russian Government, with copies of letters to firms concerned; suggests that the Governor of Hong Kong should be instructed to advise the claimants to make common cause and employ the same lawyer.
Acknowledges receipt of No. 215, and 141
transmits draft of a despatch to the Governor of Hong Kong; enquires whether any representations are being made to the Russian Government as to the violation of mails on the "St. Kilda."
Concurs in draft enclosed in No. 216, 142
subject to the addition of words as to the right to sink neutral vessels before adjudication; observes that Lord Lang- downe does not think any useful purpose would be served by any repre- sentations as to the mails on the "St. Kilda" at the present stage.
Conveys instructions in the matter of the prosecution of claims in connection with the sinking of the "St. Kilda."
142
TELEGRAM.
STATE of war exists between Russia and Japan. Proclamation of Neutrality and Rules for dealing with ships of war of belligerents will be issued similar, mutatis mutandis, to enclosure in my despatch, Circular, of the 26th April, 1898. You should, however, immediately, and without waiting arrival of Proclamation, issue necessary instructions for prevention of breach of neutrality, and calling attention to require- ments of Foreign Enlistment Act and of Rules referred to, and warn British subjects accordingly.
The following Rules should be published and put in execution forthwith:- Rule A. No ship of war of either belligerent may use British waters as place of resort for warlike purposes or equipment, or may leave British waters until twenty- four hours after any ship of other belligerent, whether a ship of war or merchant- ship.
Rule B. Every such ship of war shall be required to put to sea within twenty-four hours after entrance, unless in the event of stress of weather or accessity for repair or provisions; in which case must leave as soon as possible, and certainly within twenty- four hours of completion of repairs.
Rule B is subject to Rule A, and time may be extended accordingly.
No supplies to be allowed beyond provisions and subsistence for crew necessary for immediate use.
No coal beyond what could take her to nearest port of own country or nearer-named neutral destination.
No coal to same ship in any British ports twice within three months.
No prizes to be brought British waters. If any ship of either belligerent takes any coal under the Rules, report by telegram immediately, in order that I may notify other ports.
If any exceptional or doubtful case arises under the Rules, apply for instructions by
telegraph.
4892.
No. 2.
MR. LYTTELTON TO GOVERNORS AND HIGH COMMISSIONERS.+ (Circular.)
Downing Street, February 12, 1904.
SIR,
WITH reference to my telegram communicating to you the Rules for the observance of the duties of neutrality to be in force during the existing state of war
• Sent to all British Colonies and Protectorates on receiving from the Foreign Office notification of the outbreak of war.
Sent to all Colonies and Protectorates (except Cyprus).
No. 1.
[1185]
B